Road test: Luxurious 2017 Audi Q5 review

GOOD just got better. The second generation of Audi's star premium SUV has arrived and the Q5 has upped its game.

Once star of the medium plush SUV genre between 2009 and 2015, the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Porsche Macan and BMW X3 evened the playing field along with a fleet of smaller offerings including the marque's own Q3. Wholesale changes have the potential to woo more back to the four-ring realm with option packages better value than ever and improved driving prowess.

Lighter and more efficient, the bread-and-butter Q5s come with a choice of two four-cylinder powertrains, diesel or petrol.

Entry prices have risen to $65,900 before on-roads, although Audi says the extra kit is valued at $4000 which trumps the $2300 increase.

Most buyers are expected to stump up an extra $5k to get the "Sport” trim which comes with better kit, which is the only specification available on the petrol model which starts at $73,211.

Looking similar to the outgoing variant, it's actually larger in just about all dimensions.

Audi product planner Peter Strudwicke calls Q5 "the Goldilocks car” - just the right size. For families or those looking to get more than a small suitcase in the boot, he's right.

Audi has launched the second generation Q5, with a choice of petrol and diesel engines.Chris Benny Imaging

SAFETY

With a European five-star rating all the usual suite is included, like eight airbags, drowsy driver warning, cross traffic alert for when reversing out of parking spaces, blind-spot warning and semi-automated parking.

Upgrades include autonomous emergency braking up to 85kmh, as well as an exit warning to prevent "dooring” cyclists or hitting other vehicles.

Audi has launched the second generation Q5, with a choice of petrol and diesel engines.Chris Benny Imaging

ON THE ROAD

Engineering smarts are at the heart of the Q5.

Using Audi's famed quattro all-wheel drive system, it now has "ultra” functionality. What makes it so ultra-special is essentially impossible for the driver to detect.

Operating predominantly in front-wheel drive, two clutches (one in front of the prop shaft, another in the rear diff) ensure all-wheel drive is only engaged when it's needed.

Terrain, acceleration and slippage is predicted and handled within miliseconds. The driver needs to do nothing, yet up to 100 per cent of torque can be sent to either end of the car to maintain a sure-footed feeling.

The benefits are that there are no fuel consumption penalties for quattro, in what's a safer and more adept system. It's something which will become commonplace on nearly all Audis of the future.

Audi has launched the second generation Q5, with a choice of petrol and diesel engines.

On the open road the Q5 was whisper-quiet with only a hint of tyre rumble and wind intrusion on coarse-chip roads from Melbourne, through the Grampians and South Australia's South East.

Eating up the kilometres with consummate ease, the cabin is generous with excellent rear leg room and ample shoulder and head space. Boot room is expanded 10 litres to 550, more than capable of swallowing the weekly grocery trip or two large suitcases with some real estate remaining for smaller bags.

Common-sense prevails with dual cupholders front and back, along with the capacity to handle bottles in each door. Storage and USB/auxiliary access is via the console, and there are enough spots for phones, keys and other gear.

Audi has launched the second generation Q5, with a choice of petrol and diesel engines.Chris Benny Imaging